On Monday (August 17), Neoenergia Elektro presented to the São Paulo State Government, through the Secretariats of the Environment, Infrastructure, and Logistics (Semil) and of Education (Seduc), a work plan that calls for the installation of 40 solar power plants in state schools across 12 cities within the distributor’s concession area on the São Paulo coast. The initiative is expected to reduce electricity consumption at the participating schools by up to 75%. Approximately R$6 million will be invested through Neoenergia Elektro’s Energy Efficiency Program, regulated by the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel).

It is estimated that the solar power plants will benefit more than 29,000 students, teachers, and other professionals at the participating educational institutions. The photovoltaic systems have a total installed capacity of 1.3 MWp. The annual energy generation from the 40 plants is estimated at 1.7 GWh, enough to meet the energy needs of 770 households for one year. The municipalities whose state schools will receive the solar power plants are: Bertioga, Cananéia, Guarujá, Ilhabela, Ilha Comprida, Iguape, Itanhaém, Mongaguá, Peruíbe, Praia Grande, Registro, and Ubatuba.

“The installation of photovoltaic solar power plants at 40 public schools turns the energy transition into a tangible benefit for the population. In addition to promoting efficiency and reducing costs, the initiative brings students, educators, and communities closer to the benefits of renewable energy generation and the importance of conscious energy consumption. The project reinforces Neoenergia’s consistent track record in energy efficiency; in 2025 alone, the company invested R$113 million in initiatives that benefited more than 160,000 consumer units nationwide,” notes Solange Ribeiro, vice president of Neoenergia.

The Work Plan initially calls for comprehensive assessments of the facilities at each school. The analyses aim to identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption, including the modernization of lighting systems to ensure greater efficiency and comfort in educational environments. The assessments also include a technical feasibility study for the implementation of solar photovoltaic generation.

For SEMIL Secretary Natália Resende, the initiative is part of the São Paulo State Government’s public policies on energy efficiency and the energy transition. “This project is aligned with the state’s climate strategy, which includes expanding local clean energy generation. In this design, we took into account a current challenge in the electricity sector: since some schools have a predominantly daytime consumption pattern, solar generation is particularly well-suited, providing efficiency not only for the schools themselves but also for system management,” she explains.

Environmental Education

Through the Energy Efficiency Program, Neoenergia Elektro will carry out educational initiatives in the schools selected for solar power plant installations. These initiatives aim to promote awareness about the efficient and safe use of electricity. Through innovative initiatives and strategic partnerships, students, teachers, and the community are empowered to build a future of sustainable energy. With education and engagement, knowledge is transformed into actions that make a difference.

“Bringing solar energy to our schools means combining efficiency, cost savings, and environmental education. In addition to reducing costs, the project transforms these schools into spaces for innovation and sustainability, connecting students and their families with the challenges and opportunities of a more sustainable future,” says Renato Feder, Secretary of Education for the State of São Paulo.

Among the initiatives developed by Neoenergia Elektro is the Mobile Educational Unit (UME), a truck converted into a classroom that travels through cities within the distributor’s service area, offering interactive workshops, lectures, and hands-on experiments on the safe and rational use of electricity, as well as concepts related to energy efficiency. At events held in partnership with public and charitable institutions, lectures are given and professionals are trained in how to apply concepts of sustainability, climate change, and the circular economy in an interdisciplinary manner within the school curriculum.

In partnership with ANEEL, the distributor promotes the National Energy Efficiency Olympics (ONEE), a national science competition aimed at elementary and high school students that encourages learning about conscious energy consumption. Registration for ONEE 2026 is now open on the website: https://onee.org.br/

Photo: Neoenergia / Press Release